Will this display be compatible with a MacBook (Retina, 12-inch, Early 2015)?

I went to 2 stores after speaking to 3 sales people. They all told me I could. It took me all day to get the monitor home. Now I think your sales people don't know what they are talking about. Pretty irritating. I'm losing my faith in Apple - this kind of runaround and lack of information seems to be normal now. Not for me. Too much like the old days with PC.

Asked by Michael J from New York

01 8, 17

LG UltraFine 5K Display

Product No Longer Available

8 Answers from the Community

Best Answer:

Yes, but there are some limitations. The MacBook can only run 4K at 30 FPS through its USB-C port, so you will not be able to use the display to its fullest potential. You do not need a Thunderbolt 2 to Thunderbolt 3 adapter as some have suggested, as the MacBook does not feature Thunderbolt ports of any kind.

Answered by Christopher M from Naples

02 23, 17

I have had the same problem with the same model Macbook. I went to an Apple store and the sales people told me it would work, so I bought the 5K monitor online. Couldn't get it to work, and then the Apple phone support people told me it won't work - no solution, and suggested getting a refund. Earlier comment was it would work with a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter, but I can't see how this would be the case, as this model Macbook doesn't have a Thunderbolt 2 port - its only port is one Thunderbolt 3 I think.

Answered by Martin B

01 17, 17

I have been on the phone with Apple support for the past hour and after endless research I can not find a viable solution to get this to work. I have been told that the Macbook just does not have the Thunderbolt support. The Apple representative suggested I return the LG 5K monitor and get the smaller LG 4K unit.

Answered by Thomas V from San Francisco

01 12, 17

Will *not* work. The 12" MacBook is USB C only, whereas this displays uses Thunderbolt 3 to deliver charge / video / etc. The 21.5" 4K, on the other hand, does use USB C to deliver charge / video / etc. You can see more in Apple's support article.

Answered by Christopher K from Hillsborough

01 15, 17

Purportedly with T3 to T2 adapter; however, I can tell you I purchased one and its extremely buggy. I would not recommend if you're not using the latest Mac. It works fine with new Macbooks. Also note that ports are all USBC and limited. I don't understand why they make a 1k monitor with limited ports and not USB3 compatible unless you buy adapters.

Answered by Armin G from New York

01 15, 17

I can confirm this is possible; Apple has this monitor connected to a Mac mini and a Mac Pro in their Fifth Ave New York store.
You have to use a Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter with a Thunderbolt 2 compatible cable.

The monitor will only work at 4K resolution or lower using this method.

Answered by Ethan G from Lexington

02 5, 17

It will work, with the Thunderbolt 3 to Thunderbolt 2 adapter. However, it will only run the display at 4K.

Answered by Chris T from San Francisco

01 11, 17

Yes

Answered by Michael W

01 14, 17

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